When the word “sport” is mentioned, it reminds people, athletes of popular activities such as: basketball, football, and etc. However, there are still controversy about activities that whether or not they’re considered a sport. Marching band would be a good example. Until now, the controversy about this topic is still rising as new generations of people are born. Marching band is a sport due to the fact that it requires physical exertion, commitments, and the amount of competitions that band members attend to.
To start of, marching band consists of constant physical exertion. As defined in the dictionary, a sport is an activity which involves physical efforts. For example: basketball requires the player to dribbles, and the ability to shoot into the hoops. Marching band is similar to all sports; it requires physical exertion. As a person march down with their companions, they must acquire the capability of multitasking by keeping their
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ranks, and still capable of exerting amazing tones through their instruments:”On a parade-route, marching band requires its members to be able to play their memorized music at an expert-level on instruments weighing up to 40 pounds, while marching in step and maintaining perfect ranks, files and diagonals, and keeping consistent horn and hat angles” (highschoolillustrated.com). This cited quote clearly shows that it requires plenty of efforts, and sweats. Furthermore, it is crucial that the members are able to keep up to the designated tempos: “On the field, students march at a significantly faster tempo, sometimes up to 180 beats per minute, while playing instruments and constantly blowing all of their air through the instrument. It is not unlike running a mile at a constant fast pace while holding weights (instruments) at an exact angle and performing set drills” (highschoolillustrated.com). This piece of evidence explicitly explains that the students marches on a fast tempo, while constantly producing great tones through their instruments. Secondly, being enrolled in marching band takes a huge amount of commitment into practice. When enlisted in this particular course, the participant requires a significant amount of time to practice: “Just like any other sports practice, band practice is held almost every day. Once someone joins band, it's time to say goodbye to their social life” (theodysseyonline.com). This obviously shows that the participant is required to attend to practice no matter the cause. Not only so, it takes several years to master the chosen instrument: “to be able to play music at the level of most high school aged marching bands requires at least four to five years of practice and training on the instrument alone” (musicedmagic.org). This cited quote clearly stated that it takes commitment, and effort to master the instrument, just to reach the bare minimum of playing high school’s level music. However, some might withstand with the opinion stating that marching band isn’t a sport.
Athletes, people might say that marching doesn’t have competitions similar to sport. That is incorrect; marching band has competitions as well as any other sports. During competition, the band marched through a certain distance, while there is a judge striding around, looking for mistakes: “Like many other sports marching band has a league, a college league and a national major league association. Band participants are required to spend many hours practicing, attending competitions and are expected to perform music at an “expert level” (pitmanroaringtimes.com). Furthermore, top competitive drum corps enter competitions that is similar as the major league sport: “At the top levels of marching band and drum corps, you get a level of competition and athleticism that is equal to a division I athletic program” (reuters.com). This cited piece of evidence clearly states that marching competitions can just be as tough as any sports major
leagues. The drawing above drawn by Bill Whitehead is trying to indicate the amount of time marching band members spent on a daily basis. Not only do they spend an incredible amount of time practicing, they are also passionate about it to an extend where they would marry it. Furthermore, it shows that marching band also has sportsmanship as his companions, partners stood behind the couple. That is what the cartoon is trying to illustrate. Ultimately, marching band has all the required sports rules. Not only does it requires effort into mastering its requirements; it also acquires people more knowledge as time pass by. It shows people great sportsmanship, discipline, and entertainment to the rest of the world. Last but not least, it is a great entertainment division for citizens who enjoys a good parade. Clearly, marching band is considered as a sport.
What exactly determines whether or not an activity is a sport? The term sport is defined by The Free Dictionary as: A physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively, an activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively, or an active pastime; recreation.
It is general consensus that marching band is one of the furthest things from a sport; in fact, most people believe that band is nothing more than a group of nerds that were too unathletic to play sports. Contrary to this popular belief, marching band is much more physically taxing and demanding that many people are aware of. Based on the amount of physical exertion it entails and the similarities with other sports that are present, marching band should most definitely be considered a sport.
Before I get into “why”, you must first hear my story. You must understand how I began cheerleading, where cheerleading has stood in my life, and what it has meant to me before you can understand why I do it and why we, cheerleaders collectively, do it.
“An athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature.” According to dictionary.com that would be the definition of a sport. Let’s look at the definition of a sport from Cambridge Dictionary, “a game, competition, or similar activity, done for enjoyment or as a job, that takes physical effort and skill and is played or done by following particular rules.” Marching band has been around for many years and still to this day is underappreciated and there’s been a lot of controversy whether or not it should be considered a sport. If we were to follow the guidelines of these definitions, then why would it not be. Marching band is an exhausting sport and takes an immense amount of physical power and will to be done. Not only that, but it takes an almost impossible amount of skill. Finally, marching band is a majorly competitive activity. Most high schools have a competition about once a week for a season that lasts about fourteen weeks (or about three months). So why is it not considered a sport?
Some states have accepted competitive cheerleading as a varsity sport, but cheerleaders still have to fight for recognition as an athlete because of stereotypical views. Fellow athletes do not see why it should be considered a sport because “it is not as demanding as other sports” ("Competitive Cheerleading Fights"). The definition of an athlete is “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina” ("Omni Cheer Blog"). As an athlete students must demonstrate their skills in front of a crowd. As a matter of fact competitive cheerleaders meet all the requirements to be considered athletes, so why do they have to continue fighting for recognition as athletes?
While the definition of a sport may vary by the person, the dictionary definition for a sport can be best described as, “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment” (Oxford Dictionary). Cheerleading has been a topic of an ongoing controversial debate as to whether or not it should be recognized as a sport. Players that engage in sports, such as, football, basketball, and baseball all display a genuine liking for their sport, which generally emphasizes why they take part in the activity. Similarly, cheerleaders have this same mindset, but society tends to overlook their passion through the generation of the argument that cheerleading does not require
A community is a group of people who share something in common whether it be location, interest or a common goal. Communities are what bring people together and that is exactly what happens in marching band. Marching band is a way for people to find their place and make friends. It is very important not only for growth in music, but also for growth in character and friendship. There is only one requirement for marching band and that is to be able to play an instrument and be willing to practice hard. The people who join marching band do not need to have similar like and dislikes, majors, or even anything remotely in common.
I love marching band because, while it is so challenging and physically draining, it is also an amazing and rewarding experience. To me, band is more than a class. It’s more than an extracurricular activity or a summer pastime. Band is a way to express who you really are-- a way to find your true character. I’ve met some of the most influential people in my life through band programs, and they’ve helped me shape myself into
There is two things in this world that you should be scared of. The first thing is spiders, and the second is a cheerleader who has just been told cheerleading is not a sport. There are approximately 400,000 individuals in the Unites States in this day and age that participate in high school cheerleading (www.varsity.com). If you ask, most of them would tell you that they work their butts off, and they would say that cheerleading is a sport. In some cases some cheerleaders are fighting for their right to be called athletes because their school districts tell them that they aren’t. By doing this the school districts are portraying the message that cheerleading is a joke, and that it isn’t a real sport. It sets stereotypes for cheerleaders, and they have to work to overcome those stereotypes everyday. The school districts all over US not classifying cheerleading as a sport are in the wrong. For several reasons, all school districts should recognize cheerleading
When it comes to the topic of whether cheerleading is a sport, some of us will readily agree that it is. Where the agreement usually ends, however, is on the question whether cheerleading is a sport or not. Whereas many are convinced that it isn’t a sport, other maintains that it is a sport because cheerleaders are athletes, they need to train and be in shape in order to be able to do all the complex maneuvers safely. I agree that cheerleading is a sport because cheerleaders compete against other teams and competition is part of every sport.
What do you consider a sport? Go back 30 years ago. Most schools only had your typical sports, like football and basketball. Today, most schools have more options for students. More extra curricular activities today are being considered sports, like bowling and golf. If those activities can be sports, why is marching band not considered a sport? While some people think marching band is not a sport, marching band is a sport, because it has physical exercise, professional bands, competitions and after school practices.
Most people assume that being in the band makes you non athletic. A lot of people don’t realize what it takes to be in marching band though. There is a lot of practicing involved in planning a show and getting it as close to perfect as possible. A lot of the time there is more practice involved in marching band than
Is dance a sport or not? Some people in our world today consider dance just to be all frilly and fragile. Dance takes time, effort, determination and impeccable strength. I believe that dance is a sport because it has the same components as any other sport. In any other sport you need to work hard with a lot of effort, and that is exactly what dancers do. For example, most beginning dancers practice between five to ten hours a week. Although most people in our world today look at dancing as nothing more than tutus and twirling, a good dancer must have a mind mentally engaged, a body able to endure physical challenges, and toned dedication and skill.
Are high school sports beneficial or not for students? I personally believe if a student is in a high school sport they’re forced to prioritize between school and their sport, and at a young age I believe the student would decide to use his time to improve in his sport instead of school. Which in the long run would affect his academics, unless they decide to stay up late and work on their homework to keep up with both school and their sport. But, even like that in time the lack of sleep would catch up to them, and cause them to do even worse in both academics, and sports. High school sports are like the lotto in my opinion, many play but only a few get rewarded for their work. Therefore, high school sports cause more negativity than positivity.
Someone is sitting on a stage with people clapping and people cheering, but they didn’t sing or dance, they did magic while playing a video-game. This is competitive gaming. People can see and know that gaming is fun. They are playing a sport. Some disagree with this, but many other people believe it is. The players must go to the gym for fast reactions and stamina and must be very mentally focused, and just agree to stick with the trends as well. Video gaming should be a sport.